'Not having a send-off with fans hurts the most'

A footballer who has been released by her club weeks after she helped secure promotion said not being able to say goodbye to the fans “hurts the most”.

Natasha Snelling joined Norwich City Women in 2012, playing for the reserves before stepping up to join the first team and was the top scorer for four consecutive seasons.

On her exit weeks after the team were promoted to the third tier for the first time, the striker wished she could have made it to 15 years with the club she “adored”.

“I had been a supporter for Norwich for years so I felt proud turning up and putting on that shirt and wearing the badge and, instantly, from the girls at the club I felt welcomed,” said Snelling.

Norwich City’s head of women’s football, Flo Allen, made a raft of changes following promotion to FAWNL Northern Premier Division, including head coach Andy Cook and assistant coach Ethan Scott being dismissed within days.

Snelling, who scored 110 goals in 250 games for City, continued: “Looking back now at how women’s football as a whole has grown, I do feel proud of that.

“We play at Carrow Road in front of thousands of fans but 14 years ago we had parents – about 20 or 30 – coming through the gate at Plantation Park [in Blofield] — it’s grown massively.”

After spending years wanting to play at Carrow Road she said scoring her first goal at the stadium – during a 5-3 win over Ashford Town in front of more than 7,500 home fans – remains her proudest moment.

Snelling was one of seven players released last month, including defenders Ceri Flye and Ellie Bishop.

The departures continued on Friday as Norwich announced that goalkeeper Sarah Quantrill – who saved two spot-kicks in the penalty shootout which sealed promotion – had decided to leave the club.

Snelling said no one felt safe heading into one-to-one meetings following promotion.

“I get we are now in tier three and they want to do several things going forward… you have to remember there is a person behind every player,” she added.

While being released from the club was “tough”, Snelling said it was hard not to be able to say goodbye to fans that had supported the club at home and away games.

“I wanted that send-off with the fans, just to say thank you.

“I don’t think they realise the impact they have – it’s been absolutely massive.

“That’s what hurts the most – I didn’t have that opportunity to say personally, from me, a thank you.”

Reflecting on her feelings towards the club, she added: “It was half my life, and I’d dedicated so much for that club.

“I was playing while I had a full-time job and coming [off] after night shifts and going straight to the bus to travel [to away games].

“I felt I had done a lot for the club; I just wanted that little bit back.”

Women’s chief Allen hailed Snelling as a “fantastic servant to the club for more than 10 years” and added: “She departs as a true club legend with our deepest thanks and best wishes for the future.”

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